Liga MX overhauls governance with new president ahead of 2026 World Cup

Liga MX, Mexico’s premier professional soccer league, has appointed Francisco Iturbide as its new president, replacing Mikel Arriola in a move that signals a fundamental rethinking of how the league operates. The appointment, made during an owners’ assembly on July 24, 2026, comes at a particularly strategic moment: right before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Mexican soil. Liga MX is simultaneously creating an entirely new legal entity, Liga Mexicana de Futbol Profesional A.C., designed to give the league operational independence while maintaining its relationship with the Mexican Football Federation. From intern to president Iturbide started at Liga MX as an intern 11 years ago and worked his way up to Director General of Competitions, Operations, and Development before landing the top job. His predecessor, Mikel Arriola, moved to become commissioner and president of the FMF in December 2024, creating the vacancy that Iturbide now fills. Iturbide has expressed pride in the appointment, framing it as a reflection of his long-standing commitment to the league’s evolution. The Premier League blueprint Liga MX is modeling its new governance framework after the English Premier Le...